There's a very interesting editorial in the Hampton Roads Daily Press today, entitled "Webb vs. Miller." It's very favorable to Jim Webb, including his score in the "charisma" department:
...Webb is a natural, even charismatic figure on television; Miller is not.That could matter greatly when taking on incumbent U.S. Sen. George Allen, whose approachable personality has long worked to his electoral advantage.
In terms of credentials, the Daily Press strongly sides with Webb:
Miller offers anti-Bush fervor, economic populism and familiar platitudes - he wants to create "opportunities for all Virginians to achieve the American Dream."Webb brings military and public service credentials to the table that few candidates, including Miller, can match. As important, Webb combines that experience with a well-established record for independent thinking and action.
And on this entire silly, stale, insidious argument over whether Webb is "really" a Democrat (whatever THAT means), the Daily Press has this to say:
...how much is straight-up party loyalty an attraction to average voters? The price of party fidelity - look at the hoops John McCain is attempting to leap through to get the 2008 GOP presidential nomination - comes due in November and quite often at the cost of votes.Still, the Miller-Webb race is a party primary, not a general election. So the question is: How much is straight-up party loyalty an attraction to Democratic primary voters in Virginia?
Here's a guess: They'll vote for the guy they think has the best chance of beating Allen on Nov. 7.
Exactly right. Virginia's Democratic primary voters are smart people, and they want to win. Badly. The fact that Jim Webb - GASP! - used to be a Republican, and - HORROR OF HORRORS! - even can be heard on tape saying pro-Republican/anti-Democratic things, is largely irrelevant.
As the commenter "LAS" writes over at Not Larry Sabato:
If you can't get over the fact that he was a Republican, you can't. I admit, it is not an easy thing to accept. You need to vote your conscience and get on with it.However, it seems to me Webb had two great political epiphanies in his life; the first coming after the horrors and bitterness of the Vietnam War. The second coming after the horrors and insanity after 9/11 and the resultant Iraq War. Obviously, it takes a very big event for Webb to have an epiphany (as it should be, remembering St. Paul) These two epiphnies were reached--what?--25 years apart? At 60 years old, how many epiphanies can the guy have left?
Furthermore, this charge of "opportunism" is as unfair as it is ridiculous. If he were "opportunistic" he could have run for office as a Republican a long time ago. It's been a lot easier for Republicans to get elected these last years, in case you didn't notice.
It seems to me that Webb looked around and saw a situation so egregious that he decided he needed to do something about it. That something would result in great upheaval in his life, leaving everything known and familiar to venture into a new place where the inmates aren't always so welcoming. That has to take guts.
There are a lot of Virginians out there who voted for Bush & Allen, who said nasty things about Clinton, et. al, who may be having--at long last--epiphanies of their own. We need to reach out to them. We need to let them know that they CAN come back to the Democratic party--after all, Webb did, didn't he?
As far as I'm concerned, "LAS" hits the nail right on the head here, better than just about anyone else has articulated in this campaign. As they say at Major League Baseball games when a spectator makes a good catch, "give that fan a contract!" But seriously, I strongly object to the concept that if you were once a Republican. And I strongly object to the notion that we should write off anyone who, God forbid, once voted for Ronald Reagan. Last time I checked, that would be 54 million Americans in 1984, 17 million more than voted for Walter Mondale! Also, last time I checked, many of those 54 million Americans were people known as "Democrats." Is our plan for regaining the majority in this country to write off those people forever? If so, we Democrats deserve to lose.
By the way, why is it that Democrats are the only ones with loyalty litmus tests, while Republicans are welcome former Democrats into their party with alacrity? For instance, former liberal Demorats and union leaders like, uh, Ronald Reagan?
Or, as over at NLS:
Good question. Anyone have any answers?
[UPDATE: From Jim Webb's campaign blog comes an excellent answer.
Jim has never denied his endorsement of George Allen in 2000. He doesn+óGé¼Gäót make excuses, he doesn+óGé¼Gäót distort it. He admits it was a mistake. Since the attacks by al-Qaeda on this country in 2001, Jim has repeatedly said if Chuck Robb was still in the Senate, this country would be better off. Jim has talked with Senator Robb on the phone. He has had dinner with the Senator. He admitted his mistake to Senator Robb+óGé¼Gäós face. Now, he is working as hard as he can to correct that mistake. In light of this, it should come as no surprise that eleven members of Senator Robb+óGé¼Gäós senior staff recognized Jim+óGé¼Gäós character and have endorsed his candidacy.
In way of contrast, Harris Miller tries to hide his past. He flat out denied donating money to Dennis Hastert and Spencer Abraham, let alone admit it was a mistake. He could only meekly blame it on his former employer. In 2000, Harris said that he was doing everything he can to get Abraham reelected in Michigan [Orlando Business Journal, 10/20/2000]. He never reconciled with Debbie Stabenow. Yesterday, Debbie Stabenow endorsed Jim Webb.
One guy Miller, has a Democratic history but seems to put his pocketbook before his party sometimes. The other guy, Webb, has been a Republican his whole adult life, supported some of the worst Republicans of all time (against very honorable Democrats), never given money or time to a single Democrat and only now is getting involved and wants me to trust him.
Hard for me to get fired up for either guy, but, as of now, I'm leaning towards the known commodity...Miller.
Miller has been less than honest about his past. He has hidden unattractive lobbying activities and donations. He even lied about it (watch the "debate") then changed the story the very next day, still being untruthful.
I think we, as Americans, we have grown to expect our public officials will deceive us or lie to us. So, when Miller does it, we see it as "business as ussual." Then when acandidate of honesty and integrity comes along, we assume he must be like all the others. He is not.
I like honesty and integrity. Therefore I like Webb. We are lucky he has chosen our side in the fight.
As far as giving money is concerned, is simply appears that Webb hasn't given political donations to anyone particularly. Perhaps that goes along with his general distaste for money in politics, I don't know...
Looking forward, it is crystal clear that Senate and Congressional Democrats welcome Webb as a colleague. It would be helpful though if you would be specific about your concerns.
In often emotional tones, the veterans accused North of disparaging Robb's service record, inflating his own resume and violating a basic military tenet by lying to Congress during the Iran-contra affair.
Webb also called several senior members of his own party hypocrites, accusing them of endorsing North in public while criticizing him in private.
Note: I have not confirmed this donation from Webb himself. So, it is possible that it was from another James Webb, and not the former Sec. of the Navy/Democratic Senate candidate. Perhaps someone should ask Mr. Webb.
http://fundrace.org/neighbors.php?type=name&lname=Webb&fname=james&search=Search+by+Name
(The list is 7th from the bottom.)
Just curious...
This is from The Platform of the Democratic Party of Virginia adopted last September:
As for abortion, it isn't mentioned directly. But the platform does say this:
I find guns to be a non-issue. I have guns, I don't obsess over them, but I grew up with them....and they are protected in the constitution. I have never voted on gun issues, but many many people would/do. Unless the second amendment is repealed, there will always be a constitutional justification for squashing anti-gun legislation.
It is precisely these sort of side issues that keep Dems from winning on the populist "bread and butter" issues. There are plenty of progressive voters who don't know they are progressive because they don't look beyond things like GUNS, GAYS, and Abortion when they go to vote.
On "whose ideas are the most Democratic," there's no doubt it's Webb. For instance:
Webb supports FAIR trade. Miller supports so-called "free trade."
Webb is AGAINST the Bush tax cuts for rich people, in part because we're at war, and in part because they are unfair to working and middle class people. Miller said on WTOP that making the Bush tax cuts permanent was a "great idea"
Webb has consistently opposed the Virginia "marriage" amendment. Miller has waffled and flip flopped on this issue for reasons of political expediency.
Webb opposes outsourcing of American jobs. Miller has lobbied hard, most of his adult life, to do just that.
Webb opposed the Iraq war. Miller supported it.
Webb supports affirmative action, as does Miller.
Webb supports a woman's right to choose, as does Miller.
Webb is for the working and middle classes. Miller is for the rich and well heeled.
Etc, etc.
So how does Miller "win" over Webb in terms of being a Democrat.
You say Webb has given no reason for most Democrats to vote for him. I can give you one. It's a big one and not the one I daresay you expect to hear.
It's all about the War. Web had the foresight, the intelligence, the wisdom and the guts to oppose this terrible War from the getgo. Harris Miller did not. Most of the lifelong Democratic stalwarts did not. Yes, Kerry, Clinton, et. al had voted for Democrats and supported Democratic causes all their lives, God bless them. But at the most crucial moment in our nation's history since Vietnam, they let us down. Did they let fear and ambition get in the way of doing what is best for the country, I wonder?
Do you remember how that felt? Betrayed. Betrayed and abandoned by our own people. I felt like somebody had put a knife in my gut, how did you feel? Yet I forgave Kerry and the rest of them; God knows it wasn't easy, but I did.
I am the mother of an only teenaged son. One son. That's all I have. And I am worried sick that this goddammed cowboy is going to start another War with Iran. I'm worried sick about the War we are in right now; all those wasted and ruined lives, all that horrific grief--and for what? Foolish arrogance, pride, fear and stupidity. And many good Democrats marched right along with it.
Yeah, so maybe I should be more concerned about who voted for whom, and who gave money to whom, or who said what about whom. Frankly, I don't give a rat's ass. What the hell does any of this matter? Fear has a way of sharpening one's focus, I guess.
You know what? I've been a Democrat my entire life, but I'd vote for just about anyone who opposed this War BEFORE it started, even a Republican. It means that much to me. Luckily, there is a DEMOCRAT who opposed it (before it became convenient to do so) and, incidentally, has the experience and knowledge to be of some use ending it. That means a lot to me, too.
I'm guessing I'm not alone.
9/11, Katrina, cronyism, corruption, lies, a jobless recovery, Diebold and election irregularities and an even more top heavy wealth distribution. These have all been epiphanies to most of us. Take a few minutes and think back over these events, where we are and what we've become.
Party loyalty is a two way street. It has its limits. What kind of party would expect its members to unite behind a candidate who, with unerring consistency, has proactively taken advantage of every blessed one of those events as an opportunity?
Same hell, different handbasket.
Why does my party question the loyalty of defectors so often? You never saw the Republicans doubt the sincerity of Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Spiro Agnew, and Richard Shelby when they switched parties.
I am not sure censorship is such a great thing for so called trolls either. I tend not to like censorship even for jack-asses.
Afterall, we all recognise Trolls as soon as they appear so their effect is minimized.
Is there not a better way?
In the meantime, for an entertaining thread on the "The Tao of Troll Rating," check out Daily Kos. But be careful with your comments so you don't get troll rated over there too! Ha.
2. Source for that "inside info?"
3. Source for claim that Reid and Zinni didn't endorse Webb?
4. I suppose you feel little need to mention the fact that they gave far more to Democrats, or that Miller is against all unions, Democrat-donating and otherwise.
5. Well, what of it? Hardly seems to matter much to me.
6. Temper?? Like that ever stopped John McCain.Why do Democrats alwasy doubt the sincerity of defectors? You never saw The GOP wonder if Ben Nighthorse Campbell or Richard Shelby weren't still secretly still Democrats.
The mark of Jim+óGé¼Gäós character is that he has the courage to stand up, admit his mistakes and take steps to correct them. We all make mistakes. Do we own up to them? Do we reflect upon them? Do we learn from them? Those attributes are the mark of character.
] Comments
He said he was forced to give $ to Hastert and co. when actually he organized a fund raiser and spoke out glowingly for the man. Also, he came out firmly for John Sonunu against D. Stabenow (D). Stabenow won. That was in 2000 the same year Webb supported Allen. Since then only Webb has admitted his mistaken flawed endorsements & asked forgiveness of those he affected. Miller, by contrast, is still silent on these issues or he is dodging. To me it signals he may still stand behind those endorsements to some degree.
Webb and five other high-ranking Navy or Marine Corps veterans stood side-by-side with Democrat Charles S. Robb and portrayed the Virginia Senate race as a battle between two Marine veterans, one of whom they accused of betraying the honor of the Corps.
While Miller had given often and in most every election cycle since the 1980's (to both Democrats and Republicans), Webb had not. In fact, from 1980 forward, I found only one political donation that appeared to be from Webb. It was for $150 to John Kerry in 2004.
Until then, you be the judge. The post lists $150 from James Webb, Washington D.C.-(occupation) writer, self (employed).
Is there more than one James Webb in the D.C. areas who makes his living as a writer?
We support the right to keep and bear arms as defined in the Virginia Constitution and the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and efforts to promote firearm safety. We support restoring state funding to Project Exile, which provides mandatory sentences for criminals who use guns. We also support state law enforcement initiatives to provide protection and safety for victims of family violence, and to ensure proper payments of child and family support.
We affirm our support for equal rights for women, including the right to reproductive choice free from government interference.